The Royal Theatre kicks off its 2007 season with Shakespeare's bittersweet comedy about love. In fact, the Royal is calling its series of productions a Love and Madness Season. Future shows include a modern comedy called Soap and the Restoration comedy The Way Of The World. - Listen to an extract of the Royal & Derngate's Twelfth Night by clicking on the link below. It's part of Act I, Scene 3 which takes place in Olivia's house. It stars Sir Toby Belch (Stephen Critchlow), Maria (Lucy Speed) and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Andrew Turner).
In 1884 when the Royal Theatre's curtain rose for the very first time, Twelfth Night was the opening play. It was presented by Samuel Compton's Company and started in Drury Lane, London before touring the country, including a visit to the Royal. One hundred and Twenty Three years later, this new version of Twelfth Night will be exclusive to Northampton and has been given a Victorian theme. Soap starsThe staging is aimed at complimenting the Royal Theatre's new décor. As part of its multi-million pound refit, the Royal has been returned to its nineteenth century splendour. Even the ornate red wallpaper has been recreated. Laurie Sansom is directing, following on from his successful production of Follies last October. He's adding original music, songs and live musicians to the play. Two TV soap stars are appearing in Twelfth Night. Paul Fox (Mark Baldwin in Coronation Street and Dr Jeffrey Goodwin in The Royal) plays Count Orsino. Lucy Speed (Natalie in Eastenders) is the cheeky maid Maria. | 
